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The annual Auto ExpressTyre Test is an important one for tyre manufacturers. The time and investment
spent on the research and development of new tyres has a chance to be recognised during the Tyre test, with wet braking, rolling resistance, and
aquaplaning all being tested
In the 2018 tests, Continental tyres won a clean sweep of awards for best summer, winter and all-season tyres. With the PremiumContact™ 6 scooping the award for best summer tyres, the WinterContact™ TS 860 scoring highest on the tests amongst winter tyres and the AllSeasonContact™ being awarded the best all season tyre, Continental have got you covered whatever the weather.
Why is choosing the right tyres important?
Your tyres are crucial for vehicle safety being the only part of your car that is in contact with the road. For this reason, it is important to ensure that your tyres won’t let you down. Auto Express’ Independent Tyre testing is known for being a rigorous process. Here are some of the key performance attributes that enabled the Continental tyres to be crowned as the winners.
Summer Tyre Test 2018 winner PremiumContact™ 6
The
PremiumContact™ 6 was selected as the winner in the summer tyre category. The
tyres were put through their paces in both wet and dry conditions and
Continental's tyre came out on top in various categories. Parts of the tests included assessing handling, cornering, and how a tyre copes with deep water at high speeds. The tyres also underwent dry testing on complex circuits with high-speed curves to test how well the tyres balanced. Some notable elements
of the tyre's performance which were praised during the tests were:
Best performance in both wet and dry
Sharpest performance on the wet track
Better handling than its
rivals
The consistent performance
of this tyre across all testing categories enabled it to be crowned the
best summer tyre with the highest overall combined score.
Winter Tyre Test 2018 winner WinterContact™ TS 860
Continental also took the award for the best winter tyre in the Auto Express tests. Here are some of the reasons why the WinterContact™ TS 860 won the award for the best winter tyre for the third year running:
Strong performance in wet braking and handling
Outstanding traction at corners
Top performance results whatever the weather
Continental’s WinterContact™ TS 860 is a
popular winter tyre choice and its qualities have been highlighted by its success in
Auto Express’ rigorous testing procedures over the last few years.
All-Season Tyre Test 2018 winner AllSeasonContact™
The new Continental AllSeasonContact™ was awarded the best all-season tyre in its Auto Express debut. The development of the AllSeasonContact was centred around getting the balance right between the characteristics of designated summer and winter tyres. This has allowed Continental to create a tyre that performs well regardless of the road surface as shown in the Auto Express test results.
Continental's award-winning tyres
Continental’s investment in research and development has meant that they are continually at the forefront of tyre innovation. If you already own a vehicle fitted with Continental tyres, you will have experienced firsthand their strong performance. As one in three cars manufactured in Europe are fitted with Continental OE (Original Equipment) tyres, it is clear that they are a good choice for motorists. These tyres consistently outperform their budget alternatives in tests such as the Auto Express ones outlined above.
Driving in heavy rain can be tricky and bring extra risks. Check out our guide for top tips to stay safe and avoid breakdowns if travelling in wet conditions.
Is the UK on the verge of ‘the coldest winter for 50 years?’ Even if El Niño doesn't hit the UK this winter, reduce the risk of a winter breakdown by making sure your car battery is winter-ready.
Your tyre size can be found on the sidewall of your current tyre and is a sequence of numbers and letters. The most common tyre size in the UK is 205/55R16 but there are many variations so it’s important to check your existing tyre first before searching for tyres.
Tip: Take a photo of your existing tyre sidewall to make it easier to identify your tyre size using the guide below.
The first three digits. This displays the width of the tyre in millimetres. A tyre marked 225 will measure 225mm across the tread from sidewall to sidewall.
Aspect Ratio
The fourth and fifth digits of the tyre code that immediately follow the tyre width. The aspect ratio or profile height of the tyre sidewall is expressed as a percentage of the tyre width. So an aspect ratio of 55 for example means that the profile height of the tyre is 55% of its width.
Rim Diameter
The next two digits represent the size of the wheel rim that the tyre can be fitted to. It is also the diameter of the tyre from bead to bead. So a tyre marked 16 will fit on a 16-inch wheel rim.
Speed Rating
The speed rating of a tyre is represented by a letter of the alphabet at the end of the tyre size code and indicates the maximum speed capability of the tyre. Tyres receive a speed rating based on a series of tests which measure the tyres capability to handle a set speed for a prolonged period of time.
Select your tyre speed rating to find out the maximum speed your tyres can maintain.
If you are unsure what speed rating you need, be sure to check your vehicle handbook. Choosing a lower speed rating than that recommended by your vehicle manufacturer could potentially invalidate your insurance.
Load Rating
The load index provides information on the maximum weight capability for the tyre. The load index is a numerical code that can be located just after the tyre size marking and before the speed rating.
Select your load index to find out the maximum load capability for your tyres.
Although not illegal, it is not advisable to have tyres with a lower speed rating or load index than the manufacturer recommended tyre specification for your vehicle, or to have a combination of different tyre construction types. Consult your vehicle handbook to confirm your vehicle’s tyre speed rating and load index as well as any additional requirements.
0800 75 76 77 You can reach our customer care team 6 days a week from 9:00am to 6:00pm on Monday and Thursday, 8:30am to 6:00pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm Saturday, and 10:00am to 4:00pm on Bank Holidays.
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Select Tyre Size
Front Tyre Size
Rear Tyre Size
We endeavour to ensure we are displaying the correct tyres for your vehicle. However, we recommend all customers check the tyre size printed on the side wall of their tyres before proceeding with a tyre purchase as occasionally discrepancies do occur. By selecting the tyre sizes above and clicking 'Continue', you are indicating that you have checked your tyre sizes.
Please select your front and rear tyre size before clicking 'Continue'.
We have identified the tyre size(s) that may fit your {VEHICLE}. Please select your front tyre size and rear tyre size below before clicking 'Continue'.
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Please note: There is a slope that the vehicle must be driven up to reach the vehicle ramp at this centre. This may prevent us from being able to work on some high-performance vehicles, Tesla vehicles or vehicles that have been lowered. If your vehicle has low ground clearance, please contact the centre team on 01342 314 111 before booking.
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